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Ridgewell Airfield near Great Yeldham, 7.5 miles NW of Halstead, Essex -
United Kingdom

Phase:

Initial climb

Nature:

Private

Departure airport:

Ridgewell Airfield, Braintree, Essex

Destination airport:

Ridgewell Airfield. Braintree, Essex

Narrative:At a height of approximately 350 feet during a winch launch, the glider was observed to be climbing at a slightly steeper than normal angle. The gliderís airspeed was perceived to be abnormally slow and the winch engine lost rpm. The winch operator adjusted the winch throttle setting to allow the engine to accelerate but this had little effect. The glider stalled, yawed to the right and entered a right-hand spin; during this manoeuvre the cable separated from the glider. Height was insufficient for recovery and the glider struck the ground whilst spinning, fatally injuring the pilot.

According to a contemporary press report:

"Glider Pilot Killed in Local Airfield Tragedy POLICE have named a glider pilot who died at an airfield on Sunday as 74-year-old Peter Manley. Mr Manley, of Ashen Road, Clare, died after his glider crashed on take-off from a height of around 300 feet at Ridgewell airfield, Ashen, on Sunday afternoon.

An air accident team has been at the scene investigating the crash, which may have been caused by a snapped cable as the glider, a DG 600, was wŪnched into the air. The Rev Michael Hewitt, Vicar of Ridgewell, said residents of the village had been shocked and saddened by the tragedy "It was a great shock, particuarly as I understand he had been flying for 30 years and never had an accident before," he said. "Everyone was asking about it, but we did not automatically think it would be anyone local because people come from all over to the club. When we heard it was Peter it was worse. I think they have lived in the area for about Five years and their neighbours are all very upset."

A spokesman for Essex Police said the provisional cause of death was multiple injuries and an inquest was due to be opened and adjourned today He said police officers were called to the Essex Gliding Glub airfield at Pannel Ash Green, Ashen, just before 2pm on Sunday Mr Manley was pronounced dead at the scene and the area was roped off overnight until accident investigators arrived".